Flow modulator for a fluid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flow modulators for combustion gases lack efficient and compact designs for reliable fluid flow modulation, often requiring high surface flatness and experiencing unwanted secondary fluid flows due to inflexible sealing surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A flow modulator with a rotatable foil element and a bow-shaped nut within a housing, where the foil element is elastically deformable and torsionally rigid, allowing for adjustable overlap and sealing with a resilient flexible connection, ensuring compact dimensions and adaptable flow characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional flow modulator design is used, then the device can modulate fluid flow, but the dimensions are large and secondary fluid flows occur due to inflexible sealing surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoiddevice dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The valve body is made from an elastically deformable foil element that can flexibly adapt to the sealing surface of the modulator body. This flexible foil element eliminates the need for rigid, high-precision sealing surfaces while maintaining effective sealing, thus reducing device dimensions without compromising sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The foil element's elastic deformability allows it to change its shape and conform to the sealing surface under pressure, creating an effective seal without requiring large, rigid sealing surfaces. This parameter change from rigid to flexible sealing enables compact device dimensions while preventing secondary fluid flows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the foil element is made rigid for stable positioning, then positioning is accurate, but the sealing surface becomes inflexible causing unwanted secondary fluid flows

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidsealing surface flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The valve body foil element is designed with elastic deformability, allowing it to flexibly adapt to the modulator body's sealing surface. This flexibility ensures complete contact and effective sealing, preventing secondary fluid flows while maintaining stable positioning through elastic recovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The foil element transitions from a static, rigid structure to a dynamic, elastically deformable structure that can adapt its shape to the sealing surface. This dynamic flexibility ensures reliable sealing by allowing the foil to conform to surface irregularities while maintaining stable positioning through elastic forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If high surface flatness is required for sealing, then sealing is effective, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing precision requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The elastically deformable foil element compensates for surface irregularities in the modulator body by flexing and conforming to the actual sealing surface geometry. This eliminates the need for high surface flatness requirements, significantly simplifying manufacturing processes and reducing costs while maintaining effective sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The foil element's elastic properties allow it to adapt to varying sealing surface geometries without requiring precise manufacturing tolerances. By changing from a rigid sealing surface requirement to a flexible adaptation approach, manufacturing complexity and cost are reduced while sealing quality is maintained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides reliable and compact fluid flow modulation with reduced secondary leaks, allowing for precise control of fluid flow characteristics and resistance, while maintaining structural integrity and flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

The foil element is elastically deformable by the inlet pressure of the fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the spring acts on the driver pressing the driver towards the sealing surface of the modulator body and pressing the foil element against the sealing surface of the modulator body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS11773987B2Flow modulator for a fluid

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 PITTWAY SARL

AI summary

Flow modulator (10) for a fluid like combustion gas, comprising: a housing (11), a modulator body (14) positioned with the housing (11), and a valve body (18) positioned with the housing (11). The modulator body (14) has a flow channel (15) and an opening (16) providing together a flow passage (17) for the fluid. The valve body (18) is provided by a foil element (19), wherein the foil element (19) has an opening (20) for the fluid, wherein the foil element (19) is rotatable relative to the modulator body (14) to modulate the flow of the fluid by adjusting an overlap between the opening (20) of the valve body (18) and the flow passage (17) of the modulator body (14), and wherein the foil element (19) is positioned up-stream of the modulator body (14) such that an inlet pressure of the fluid presses the foil element (19) against the modulator body (14) thereby providing a sealing level between the foil element (19) and the modulator body (14).